THE CREATIVE DIARIES | LAITE JEWELRY + GIVEAWAY!
The "Atlantis Ring" and "Basic Cuff"
I think it is safe to say that we all fan-girl over LAITE. If there was every a line to represent the ladylike, modern minimalist, this is the one. I was so thrilled when Kristyn and I connected for TCD. Hearing her process and her purpose was a breath of fresh air, and I felt like we were kindreds. Enjoy her thoughtful words today, and be sure to enter on Instagram to win the Cassiopeia Necklace! Use the hashtag #wearlaite + #ladyandlike, telling how you would best style the piece.
I LOVE MORNINGS. COULD YOU GIVE A LITTLE INSIGHT INTO YOUR MORNING ROUTINE? ARE YOU A COFFEE OR TEA LADY? EGGS OR PASTRIES? WHAT GETS YOU MOST READY FOR THE DAY?
Mornings are my favorite time of the day. I often wake up quite early and make myself a cup of tea—herbal, usually chamomile with honey. I love eggs and pastries on the weekends, whether it’s omelets with goat cheese or buttery croissants and blueberry scones, but on weekdays, I’ll usually opt for some form of whole-wheat cereal splashed with coconut milk. I like taking my time in the mornings, so I’ll usually pull out a book while I enjoy my tea. Some days I’ll do a short morning yoga routine, which always makes me feel awake and refreshed.
The Basic Cuff
YOUR PIECES RESONATE WITH ME PERSONALLY. THEY ARE SO GRACEFULLY DONE AND FEMININE. CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS, OR MAYBE THE MOMENT, WHERE YOU REALIZED STARTING A JEWELRY LINE WAS WHERE YOU WANTED TO PLACE YOUR CAREER AND CREATIVITY?
I’ve always felt creatively inclined, but had never quite capitalized on the idea of making it a career until recently. Last year, I stumbled upon a jewelry giveaway and thought to myself, “I could do that.” I can’t draw to save my life, but I started sketching out designs (you’d laugh at my sketchbook, truly) and it just kind of took off from there. It’s a great feeling bringing something beautiful to life with your own hands.
It’s a bit funny too, because I never wore jewelry—maybe a pair of earrings and a few rings—but I think that’s what helped me find my niche. I make jewelry for the simple at heart. I never wore it previously because everything was too gaudy, too trendy, or too bohemian for my taste. I love classic, clean silhouettes, so my goal is create pieces that are minimal and delicate, easily paired with any style or season. I want my work to feel feminine but not frilly—just effortless.
The Atlantis Ring
READING YOUR COMPANY PHILOSOPHY AND PASSION WAS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR ME. TELL ME MORE ABOUT EXPANDING THE LAITE BRAND, AND HOW YOU SEE IT TRANSLATING INTO EVERY DAY LIFE, COMMUNITY, AND RELATIONSHIPS.
Humans are constantly longing for connection, and I firmly believe that art can positively affect this issue. When people purchase something from a local maker, they enter into a dialogue of love and community. The handmade process helps people to live consciously, to think mindfully; not only are they contributing to the artist’s wellbeing, they’re impacting their own wellbeing, and that of the community in which they live.
My hope is turn Laite Atelier into a brand and shop that embodies this to the highest degree, so I’d love to eventually incorporate different artistic mediums. I want to offer home goods that are both useful and beautiful--specifically knitted accessories, hand-carved wooden spoons, pottery bowls and leather journals full of short stories. I want to give people an opportunity to invest in a lifestyle that is more mindful. I want to offer them comfort and nostalgia, literature and ritual, all things that nurture connection.
I COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE THAT YOU ARE A COMPANY WITH A CAUSE! WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO GIVE FIVE PERCENT BACK TO GIRLS WRITE NOW IN NYC?
For years, I struggled with my desire to follow a creative pathway because I thought it was selfish. I wanted to help others, but didn’t know how I could do that in my field. When I started my business I knew I had to find a way to combine beautiful design and meaningful intention. Writing has always been my first love, and is actually a huge source of inspiration for many of my designs. As both a woman and creative business owner, I feel called to give back to the community in a way that will help other women realize their true potential and challenge them creatively. Girls Write Now embodies my desire by helping high school girls in NYC develop leadership, imagination and intellect.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL MOST FEMININE? PERFUME, BRUNCH, A HUG AND KISS FROM YOUR MAN, A WORKOUT ALONE- ANYTHING! THE SKY IS THE LIMIT WITH WHAT MAKES YOU CELEBRATE BEING A LADY.
Lavender makes me feel most feminine. The scent, the taste, the color, the flower—every morning, I smooth this gorgeous cream fromLe Marche (made with goat’s milk and infused with lavender) on my skin, and in that moment, I feel so beautiful and ladylike. It’s so luxurious, and the scent makes me dream of roaming through French country fields in airy white dresses. It just transports me to another time entirely, like perhaps if I close my eyes tight enough, I could find myself in Jane Austen’s parlor, sitting down to write a letter to friend with a cool breeze drifting across the hills and through the open window. I’m a bit of a romantic.
LASTLY, WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES TO WHIP UP IN A QUICK MINUTE?
Chocolate chip cookies are my weakness, and I found a recipe for them awhile back that is just marvelous! You combine two ripe bananas, a cup of rolled oats, and chocolate chips (as desired) in a bowl, place spoonfuls of the batter evenly on a baking sheet, and stick in the oven for 15 minutes. It’s such a simple recipe, tastes delicious, and is a healthy, quick alternative for that sweet tooth craving.
Don't forget to enter on Instagram using the hashtags #wearlaite & #ladyandlike!
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